OC Trainer Charged In Connection With Deaths Of 'Dozens' Of Dogs

IRVINE, CA — A south Orange County animal trainer and his girlfriend were charged in connection with the deaths of at least a dozen dogs, including nine whose bodies were found by police, authorities said.

Kwong Chun Sit, 53, was charged with 22 felony counts of cruelty to animals and six misdemeanor counts of attempt to destroy evidence and a count of destroying evidence.

Co-defendant Tingfeng Liu, 23, of Vista, was charged with a felony count of accessory after the fact and two misdemeanor counts of attempt to destroy evidence and a count of destroying evidence.

Police found the cremated remains of one dog, nine bodies and the remains of two other canines, according to the Irvine Police Department.

The pair trained and boarded animals, police said. One couple dropped of a dog for boarding and "touch-up training," and then were told the dog died in the custody of the trainer, police said.

Irvine Police Department Kyle Oldoerp told City News Service that the dogs were a "whole mix of different" breeds that were all "under 3-years-old."

Police were contacted by a pet owner about 5:25 p.m. Wednesday saying they had received a message that their dog had died in their sleep and was cremated, Oldoerp said.

Police recovered multiple dogs at separate crematoriums, according to Oldoerp.